Protecting-shield for light ordnance.



PATENTED-JUNE 16, 1902.

7 I. GIIARRON. PROTECTING SHIELD FOR LIGHT ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED rm. a 190 7 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N v/v T01 7 i I Q 1 WW 1/ THE NURRIS PETERS CAL, WASHING1ON, D. C.

W/ T/VESSES wiry. v

PATENTED JUNE 16, 1 908.

N 0 R R A H G F PROTECTING SHIELD FOR LIGHT ORDNANGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1907.

Z SHEETS-$311111 2.

THE nonms PETERS cm, wAsHm/cron, o. c

UNITED STATES," PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINANDOHARRON, O'F- PUT'EAUX, FRANCE -PROTEOTING-SHIELD FOR LIGHT ORDNANCE.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16,1908.

Application filed February 5, 1907. Serial-No. 355,937.

To all whom itmay concern: Be it known that I, FERDINAND CHARRON,

citizen of France, residing at 7 Rue Ampere, Puteaux, Seine, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Protecting- Shields for Light Ordnance, of Which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in protecting shields or oupolas for light ordnance, and consists inv a form of turnable shield or cupola for machine guns or light and provided with means preventing its disengagement from its socket. 2. Immobility of the cupola by pressure of the latter on .a crown of the seat formed by a circular ring of compressible substance offering a great resistance to slipping, such as leatheror'caoutchouc for example.

By lengthening the axle the cupola is lifted .and can turn freely without rubbing on the compressible crown of the seat. By shortening the axle the cupola compresses the crown of the seat and the adherence which results suffices to hold it fixed, for the purpose of shooting. The variations of the length of the axle are obtained by appropriate mechanical means according to circumstances, screw, cam eccentric governed by lever, etc. The annexed drawings represent by way of example a form of construction of the invention in which the cupola is armed with a gun placed away from the axis of rotation.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation. Fig. 2 is a central vertical cross-section. Fig. *3 is a plan view-with arts shown in section. Fig. 4 re resents y way of demonstration the app ication of the cupola on an automobile of war.

Referrin to the drawin s, the cupola g constructs of sheet meta is fixed at its center and at its upper part at h on the tubular part a of the vertical pivot; it is further attached to the lower part of this tube a by two stays or curved struts. The pivot is slide the one on the other the part a is fixed to the cupola as has been described, while the part a. rests on the lower part on a socket carried by a plate fixed and arranged in a box I) which serves to claspthe extremity. of

the pivot and'to prevent its lifting.

At a convenient height for maneuvering purposes the exterior tubular part a, of the pivot is provided with'a threaded collar on which is mounted a screw wheel f; further,

formed'of two parts a anda arranged to j two guide slots 6 diametrically opposed, are

arranged inthetube a through which the extremities of two lugs (Z fixed to the central part cof the pivot pass; these lugs are situated at 'such'distance apart soas to exactly embrace the screw It can readily be understood that if the screw wheel f is turned in the one or other direction, as it is prevented from vertical displacement by the lugs d it causes the threaded part a and in consequence the cupola g to .rise or descend.

' The cupola has its seat on the top or roofing Z of the turret or structure of sheet metal m with the aid of a circular abutment n and of acompressible crown o. 1 The roof Z is further provided with a flange or angle piece 11 against the vertical part of which horlzonta rollers g bear the axles of which are carried by the cupola. 4

The gun m arranged away from the axis of the cupola ismounted on a support connectedto a cross piece which carries the mechanism Z9 for t e vertical aiming of the gun.

It can be seen that with this cupola, operation of the same ismost simple, and is not hindered by the vibrations or unstableness of the seat of the cupola. For aiming, the screw wheel f is turned so' as to lift the cupola,

which can then be turned with the greatest facility around its pivot until the convenient direction is obtained; the wheel f is then turned in the contrary direction so as to cause the abutment n of the cupola to rest von the compressible, crown '0; the cupola is immediately held fast and the gun can be used without the slightest rotation of the on ola resulting.

ig. 4 shows the application of the de-.

scribed cupola to an automobile of war.

The vehicle is provided with a bullet proof .armorin 1.

The cupola is placed towards the bac while towards the front are arranged seats 2 for the driver and-commander.

3 is the ammunition room. The radiator 4 is rotected by fixed armor plates which alow the passa e of the air, and prevent the passage of bu ets. A signal lamp 5 is arranged in the interior of the covering; its light may be hidden by means of a shutter blind sliding in guides. At the front of the vehicle is an observation shutter 6 which can be shut instantly. Finally the vehicle carries two rails of U-section 7, hung one on each side of the said vehicle and intended to serve as a bridge for the passage over ditches.

When in use these rails are united and maintained at the necessary distance'apart by stays which hook into each of them.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A cupola for machine guns or light ordnance comprising a lower steady platform, a circular cupola of sheet metal g,a pivot shaft arranged between the cupola and the steady latform and formed of two parts a and a, s iding the one on the other,means for securing the tubular part a on the roofing 'of the cupola,means for attaching the lower end of the part a on the platform to prevent the raising of said part though it is allowed to rotate,two lugs d fixed across the top of art a,two vertical slots e made in the tubu ar part a/ and in which are ada ted to move the lugs d,a threading provi ed on the outside of part a,a hand nut f mounted on the threaded part of a between the ends of the lugs d,a turret or structure of sheet metal m,a roofing Zfor said turret, a compressible crown 0 carried 'by said roofing,and a circular flange 'n carried by the cupola which presses the crown 0 when the central ivot of the cupola is shortened substantial y as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses;

FERDINAND CHARRON Witnesses:

ANTOINE LAVOIX, HANSON O. 00x12. 

